More than six decades after the Holocaust, the horrors of Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur are sobering reminders that preventing future genocides and mass atrocities remains an enormous challenge. Yet genocide is not the inevitable result of ancient hatreds or irrational leaders. As we learn more about the risk factors, warning signs, and triggering events that have led to it in the past, we are also learning ways to prevent it in the future.

The Museum’s Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide works to prevent genocide by studying how and why genocides occur; raises public awareness about genocide and the need for action by leaders; advances the field of genocide prevention; increases the capacity of government decision makers to respond to impending mass atrocities; and builds political will among leaders to respond when genocides threaten.

Our Work on Genocide Prevention

The Working Group on the Responsibility to Protect is a joint project of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the United States Institute of Peace, and the Brookings Institution. It was co-chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and former Presidential Special Envoy to Sudan, the late Richard Williamson.

The international community faces an ongoing challenge in protecting the rights to freedom of opinion and expression while also combating incitement to genocide and preventing violence based on hatred.

The 2008 report of the Genocide Prevention Task Force provided practical policy recommendations to enhance the capacity of the US government to respond to emerging threats of genocide and mass atrocities.